Ski boot

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a plastic ski boot produced by injection moulding of the type having an outer shell and inner padding. A boot is described wherein the shape of the outer shell is symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane and therefore adapted for use as either the right or left foot boot of a pair; the right or left foot shape being imparted interiorly of the shell by suitably contoured padding.

United States Patent Plank et al.

SKI BOOT Inventors: Wolfgang Plank; Peter Handlbauer,

both of Freiburg, Germany Assignee: Justus Rieker & Co., Tuttlingen,

' Germany Filed: Feb. 22, 1972 Appl. No.: 227,906

Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 24, 1971 Germany P 21 08 711.6

US. Cl. 36/25 AL Int. Cl. A431) Field of Search. 36/25 R, 2.5 AL, 2.5 E, 2.5 F

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1970 Dalebout 36/25 AL Feb. 19, 1974 3/1968 Werner et a1. 36/25 AL FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,962,632 6/1971 Germany 36/25 AL Primary Examinerlatricl D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or FirmLilling & Siegel The invention relates to a plastic ski boot produced by injection moulding of the type having an outershell and inner padding. A boot is described wherein the shape of the outer shell is symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane and therefore adapted for use as either the right or left foot boot of a pair; the right or left foot shape being imparted interiorly of the shell by suitably contoured padding.

ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 1 91914 sum 1 OF 3 SKI BOOT BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a sports shoe, especially a ski boot, made by the moulding process, having an outer shell made of plastic and comprising the outer sole and the upper, and padding adapted to the shape of the foot arranged therein.

Because of the advantages obtainable, there has been a considerable increase in plastic ski boots made by moulding, especially by injection moulding. The advantages of ski boots thus produced are, among others, that it is possible with a single mould to produce simply and quickly a large number of completely identical boots, the necessary stiffness of which may be accurately controlled by altering the thickness of the shell wall, this stiffness remaining practically unchanged throughout the life of the boot. This latter advantage is the main reason why moulded ski boots have been accepted so quickly, especially for racing, since it was impossible to obtain with leather ski boots the stifiness required for optimal skiing, and. leather boots lose their original stiffness in a very short time.

In spite of the fact that a large number of boots can be produced relatively easily from a single mould, the overall production costs of moulded boots, especially ski boots, are still considerably higher than for leather boots. The main reason for this is the high tool costs, its. the costs of producing the moulds. Since the configuration of the boot is extremely dependent upon styles, which change from year to year, this means that new tools have to be made every year for the whole range of boot sizes, and this brings about an enormous increase in the price of moulded boots.

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to design moulded boots of the configuration outlined at the beginning hereof, in such a manner that production costs can be reduced substantially. This aim is accomplished in that the outer shape of the outer shell'of the boot is largely symmetrical about the central longitudinal plane, and is identical for both boots of a pair.

Obviously the design of the boot according to the invention will result in quite a considerable reduction in tool costs, since the same mould may be used to produce the outside of both boots of a pair. This is of particular importance, since it is the external mould that produces the outside of the boot, the part that hits the eye, and greater care has to be taken with this external mould than with the internal mould.

An additional substantial reduction in cost is obtained. by making the entire outer shell, including the inner shape thereof, largely symmetrical about its central longitudinal plane, and providing it with an inner boot, adapted to the shape of the foot and made of padding. This makes it possible to produce both boots of pair with the same external and internal moulds, which amounts to something like a 50 percent reduction in too] costs. The boot is adapted to the shape of the foot by means of the inner boot, which may either be made in known fashion of a thermo-plastic plastic compound which is heated at the first fitting and is thus adapted to the foot, or may be made of a plastic or foammaterial compound injected between the foot and the outer shell at the first fitting.

The serviceability of a sports shoe, especially a ski boot according to the invention, in which boots of a pair are identical, depends, of course, upon the availability of a fastening means which does not destroy or disturb the necessary symmetry of the external shape, which ensures satisfactory seating of the boot, and which does not detract from the appearance of the boot which, to a considerable extent, motivates a purchase. In a further development of the concept of the invention, provision is made for the outer shell to be made up out of a largely rigid sub-shell comprising the outer sole and a part of the upper, with an entry for the foot, and of a cover adapted to fit and be locked over the said entry, and forming the remaining part of the said upper. In one preferred form of embodiment, the said sub-shell forms the rear portion of the upper, while the cover is adapted to pivot, in the instep part of the subshell, about an axis running perpendicularly to the central longitudinal plane. This permits a largely symmetrical configuration of the fastening means, since both edges of the cover may be made'the same. Obviously this configuration of fastening means is not restricted to the boot according to the invention, which uses the same internal and external mould for both boots of a pair, but may also be used for conventional boots. But this particular configuration has special advantages for the boot according to the invention, the design of which is symmetrical.

It is advisable to provide the edge of the cover and/or of the entry aperture with a sealing bead or sealing surface. If the cover is made of a softer plastic, which makes it more adaptable to the instep of the foot, it will then be necessary to connect the said cover to the rigid sub-shell with a plurality of individual fastening elements distributed over both edges. In one particularly preferred embodiment, however, the cover is also made of rigid material and is fastened to the sub-shell by means of a substantially U-shaped yokeembracing the rear portion of the upper, the forward-facing ends of the said yoke being hinged to the said cover, while the legs thereof are hinged to links on each side of the sub-shell which pivot about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane. The said links are located in such a manner that when the cover is closed, the straight line connecting the hinge point of each link on the yoke and on the sub-shell lies parallel with the plane containing the pivot axis of the links on the subshell and the pivot axis of the yoke on the cover, or includes therewith an acute angle opening towards the yoke. This ensures that the distance between the attachment points of the links to the sub-shell and the attachment points of the yoke to .the cover is at a minimum, or almost a minimum, when the cover is closed; or in other words, the cover is pressed as tautly as possible to the entry aperture.

It has long been a practice to provide ski boots with a means of adjustment, so that the boot may be adapted to the various forward-leaning attitudes of different skiers, or of one skier in different phases of skiing. To this end, a supporting shell pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane, and embracing the foot from the rear, is attached to the sub-shell. In one particularly preferred form of embodiment, the said supporting shell may be locked with the yoke simultaneously with the closing ofith cover. In this case, for example, the links are attached to the sub-shell by means of a disc carrying an eccentric, the said eccentric projecting into a recess in the said supporting shell and resting against the edge thereof in such a manner that, when the yoke is closed, the supporting shell is pushed forwards. The eccentricity of the eccentric is BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Additional advantages and characteristics of the present invention may be gathered from the following description of preferred examples of embodiment, from the sub-claims, and from the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a ski boot according to the invention FIG. 1a and lb are cross sections along the lines lala and lb-1b in FIG. 2; these are intended to illustrate schematically the internal shape of the upper;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the ski boot illustrated in FIG. 1, with a first example of a fastening means;

FIG. 3 is a view from above of the ski boot illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a and 4b are detail sections through the boot along the line IVIV in FIG. 2, through a fastening means whereby the cover and the supporting shell may be locked simultaneously, and a side elevation of a part of this fastening means;

FIG. 5a and 5b show another method for locking the supporting shell;

FIG. 6, like FIG. 3, is a view from above of a ski boot according to the invention, showing another type of fastening for the supporting shell, and

FIG. 7 is a view from above of still another means of fastening the supporting shell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 and 2, a moulded ski boot according to the invention consists of a sub-shell 1 made largely of rigid plastic and an also largely rigid cover 2. Sub-shell 1 comprises a sole 3, moulded directly on, and rear portion 4 of the upper which encloses the foot from both sides to above the ankle bone in a forward direction. Cover 2 is attached to the front end of sub-shell 1 by means of a hinged joint 5, in such a manner that the said cover may be swung upwards about the axis of the said hinged joint, which axis is perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane of the boot. Hinged joint 5 may consist of pins arranged on cover.2 or sub-shell 1 co-operating with corresponding holes in the sub-shell or the cover. It is advisable, however, that the said hinged joint be such that cover 2 is connected to sub-shell l, at the hinge location, by a thin strip of plastic moulded directly on.

FIG. 1 shows that the ski boot according to the invention is largely symmetrical about the central longitudinal plane perpendicular to sole 3. This also applies to the outer shape of sub-shell 1 and cover 2, and to its inner configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b,

which show the configuration of the outer shell only. Adaptation of the ski boot to the shape of the skiers foot is elfected, in the example of embodiment illustrated, in that, at the first fitting, a hardenable, preferably foamable plastic compound is injected through a valve, not shown, in the centre line of the heel, into the interior of the shoe, between the users foot and the outer shell.

Cover 2 closes ofi an entry aperture (FIG. 1), the edge of which has a resilient sealing bead 7 to which the cover is pressed when closed. This prevents the entry of any snow or water. Sealing bead 7 is preferably stuck or welded on after the shell has been made.

Of particular interest is the connection between cover 2 and sub-shell 1, to ensure that the skiers foot is held securely and that the slightest movement of the foot is transferred to the ski. In the example of embodiment illustrated, this connection is accomplished by means of a yoke 8 which may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The said yoke is preferably made of metal and, as seen from above, is of a substantially U-shaped configuration its two legs having vertical Z-shaped jogs, producing an upper leg 8' and a lower leg 8". Yoke 8 embraces the rear portion 4 of the upper part of sub-shell l on both sides from behind, so that the ends of upper legs 8' project over cover 2. The said leg ends are hinged to the said cover in that pivot pins 9 welded or screwed thereto are inserted into a number of holes 10 in cover 2. The free ends of pins 9 should preferably be provided with rearwardly pointing notches or recesses, to prevent the said pins from slipping out of holes 10.

The front end of each of the lower legs 8" of yoke 8 is hinged, on each side of sub-shell 1, to one end of a link 11, the other end of which is hinged at 12 to subshell 1. Yoke 8 thus forms with link 1 1 a pivotable triarticulate joint which tightens cover 2 to sub-shell 1. In order to ensure self-locking of yoke 8 when cover 2 is closed, the arrangement is such that the connecting line between hinge point 12 of link 11 on sub-shell 1 and the hinge point of link 11 on yoke 8 forms, with plane E (FIG. 2), which contains the pivot axis formed by pivot pins 9 and the pivot axis passing through hinge point 12, an acute angle opening towards the direction of closing of yoke 8. Thus when yoke 8 is pressed downwards, links 11 pass over the dead centre, from which they can be returned only by lifting yoke 8, i.e. by intentionally opening the yoke. Angle e (FIG. 2) is exaggerated in the drawing for the sake of clarity.

The back of yoke 8 has a grip 13 to facilitate lifting the yoke. Instead of this, of course, a recess may be provided at the centre line of the heel in part 4 of the upper. I

As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a supporting shell 14 is provided within rear part of the upper, the said shell being made of a relatively stiff, dimensionally stable material and being approximately semi-circular in cross section. The lower end of supporting shell 14 pivots on sub-shell 1, by means of rivets 15, about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane of the boot. Shell 14 is preferably provided with padding 16 which allows the said shell to lie snugly but painlessly against the ankle. Pivoting of shell 14, and pressing it against the back of the foot; are effected simultaneously by the closing of cover 2 by means of yoke 8. The mechanism used for this purpose is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

According to the illustration in FIG. 4a, link 11 is connected to a disc 17, at hinge point 12, by a square 18 in such a manner that it is hard to turn. Disc 17 is substantially circular in shape, and is embedded in part 4 of sub-shell 1, so that it may rotate about its axis. The surface facing the inside of the ski boot carried an eccentric 19 which projects through a recess 20 in shell 14 and is prevented from slipping out by a screwed-on cover plate 21. Eccentric 19 is located at the edge of aperture 20 and, when link 11 is pivoted, the said eccentric pulls shell 14 forwards ina clockwise direction (Flg. 2). Since eccentric 19 exerts considerable force on the edge of aperture 20, the latter is preferably reinforced by an insert 22 attached by hollow rivets 23. Aperture 20 may be of any configuration which does not impede the vertical movement of eccentric 19. If is preferably in the form of an elongated vertical hole. The configuration of eccentric 19 may also differ from the sector shape illustrated. As shown in dotted lines at 24 (FIG. 4b), it is also possible to displace eccentric 19 radially of disc 17, which makes it possible to alter its eccentricity. The pivoted position of supporting shell 14 may thus be adapted to the individual requirements of the skier. In this case eccentric 19 is attached to disc 17, for instance by means of a screw, now shown.

The example of embodiment in FIGS. 2, 3, 4a and 4b is particularly advantageous because it permits simultaneous operation of cover 2 and supporting shell 14 by means of yoke 8. However, if separate locking is required, the examples of embodiment in FIGS. 5 to 7 may be selected. FIGS. 50 and 5b show two protuberances 25 of the same height directly cast-on or injection moulded in the vicinity of the upper end of part 4 of the boot upper, the said protuberances serving to accommodate bearing shaft 26 of a pivotable bell-crank of cam 27. Cam 27 passes thorugh an opening 28 in part 4 and its free end presses against the back of shell 14. The other end of cam 27 is attached to a tension clip 29 which is of a substantially U-shaped configuration, the ends of the legs thereof being bent round in order to engage in appropriate holes in cam 27. Attached to the centre line of the heel in part 4, below opening 28, is an eccentric latch 30 which acts upon the lower web of clip 29 and which, upon being folded down, pulls down the said clip and the said cam simultaneously. The angle of pivot of cam 27 is preferably made adjustable by means of a screw 31 in clip 2 which rests against eccentric lock 30.

In the example of embodiment according to FIG. 6, a strap 33, passing through a slot 32 in part 4, is used to pivot supporting shell 14, the two ends of the said strap being affixed to a latch 34 in such a manner that the length of the said strap may be increased or decreased by raising or lowering the said latch. If the length of the strap is decreased, the part lying inside part 4 against supporting shell 14 is tautened, whereby the said shell 14 is pivoted forward.

Finally, FIG. 7 shows an example of embodiment in which the pivoted position of supporting shell 14 may be altered by means of an adjusting screw 35 adapted to be screwed into part 4 at the centre line of the heel. If required, the free end-face of screw 35 may carry an adjusting scale which makes it possible to check and easily reproduce the pivoted position of the supporting shell.

The designs outlined above, for linking cover 2 and supporting shell 14, are of particular advantage in carrying out the concept of the invention, i.e. to keep'the outer shape, and possibly also the inner shape of the outer shell. of both ski boots of a pair the same, since they make it possible to maintain the required symmetry. The said designs, however, are not restricted to ski boots of this configuration, but may also be used with advantage for conventional as symmetrical ski boots. The same applies to the fastening means shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which the rigid sub-shell of the boot is closed by means of a rigid or flexible cover. In the case of a cover made of rigid material, consideration may be given to allowing the thickness thereof to taper down from bottom to top, in order to obtain a small amount of flexibility in the top region of the upper, whereas the foot is held very firmly at the instep. If required, the hinge point of yoke 8 may also be located lower in the cover, near where the said cover buckles, in order to increase the pressure in this area.

It is to be understood that both cover 2 and supporting shell 14 are provided with conventional padding, the purpose of which is to avoid pressure points on the foot and to secure and hold the foot firmly.

The invention is not restricted to the following claim. It also covers anything novel and inventive in the specification and drawings, as compared with prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. A ski boot having a plastic outer shell comprising: a substantially rigid sub-shell having an outer sole and an upper covering a foot to above the ankle region of the foot, said outer shell being internally and externally generally symmetrical about its central longitudinal plane and being identical for both boots of a pair, a padding in said outer shell adapted to the shape of a foot, an entry aperture in said upper extending as far as the top edge thereof, and adapted to be closed by a cover forming a part of said upper; said cover being substantially rigid and forming the remainder of said upper and being adapted to be placed and locked over said entry aperture; said sub-shell forming the rear part of said upper and in the instep area of said sub-shell, the cover is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane.

2. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein said cover is locked to the sub-shell by means of a substantially U-shaped yoke embracing the rear part of the upper, the forward-facing ends of the legs of the said yoke being hinged to the cover, while a point of the middle portion of each leg thereof is hinged to a link, the said links, located on each side of the sub-shell, being pivot able about axes perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane. Y

3. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein a supporting shell, embracing the foot from behind, pivots on the sub-shell about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane and is adapted to be locked in a position determining the forward-lean of the wearer.

4. The ski boot according to claim 2, wherein a supporting shell, embracing the foot from behind, pivots on the sub-shell about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane and is adapted to be locked by said yoke simultaneously with the closing of said cover. 5. The ski boot according to claim 4, wherein each of said links are connected to said sub-shell by means of a disc carrying an eccentric, and said eccentric projecting into a recess in said supporting shell and resting against the edge thereof in such a manner that it pushes the supporting shell forward when said yoke is closed. 6. The ski boot according to claim 3, wherein the said supporting-shell is made from a substantially rigid material and a cam is pivotably supported on the sub-shell passing through an opening in the sub-shell and pressing against the supporting-shell. 

1. A ski boot having a plastic outer shell comprising: a substantially rigid sub-shell having an outer sole and an upper covering a foot to above the ankle region of the foot, said outer shell being internally and externally generally symmetrical about its central longitudinal plane and being identical foR both boots of a pair, a padding in said outer shell adapted to the shape of a foot, an entry aperture in said upper extending as far as the top edge thereof, and adapted to be closed by a cover forming a part of said upper; said cover being substantially rigid and forming the remainder of said upper and being adapted to be placed and locked over said entry aperture; said sub-shell forming the rear part of said upper and in the instep area of said sub-shell, the cover is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane.
 2. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein said cover is locked to the sub-shell by means of a substantially U-shaped yoke embracing the rear part of the upper, the forward-facing ends of the legs of the said yoke being hinged to the cover, while a point of the middle portion of each leg thereof is hinged to a link, the said links, located on each side of the sub-shell, being pivotable about axes perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane.
 3. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein a supporting shell, embracing the foot from behind, pivots on the sub-shell about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane and is adapted to be locked in a position determining the forward-lean of the wearer.
 4. The ski boot according to claim 2, wherein a supporting shell, embracing the foot from behind, pivots on the sub-shell about an axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane and is adapted to be locked by said yoke simultaneously with the closing of said cover.
 5. The ski boot according to claim 4, wherein each of said links are connected to said sub-shell by means of a disc carrying an eccentric, and said eccentric projecting into a recess in said supporting shell and resting against the edge thereof in such a manner that it pushes the supporting shell forward when said yoke is closed.
 6. The ski boot according to claim 3, wherein the said supporting-shell is made from a substantially rigid material and a cam is pivotably supported on the sub-shell passing through an opening in the sub-shell and pressing against the supporting-shell. 